Wonders of the Deep
Apart from the newly-discovered species, plenty of interesting creatures were pulled out that have already been recorded. Here are some of the most spectacular.
SWIMMING CUCUMBER
Most people see sea cucumbers as sluggish bottom-dwelling animals but in the deep sea, they are not just beautiful – they are also very athletic. This one
(Pelagothuria sp.) actually swims from one place to another using huge papillae on the back of its mouth. This way, it can search for richer feeding grounds.
ICE CREAM CONE WORM
This is not an ice cream cone you lick. The deep sea tube-dwelling worm uses its tentacles to stick sediment grains to the pre-existing conical tube as they grow, forming a structure which resembles an ice cream cone. These worms have a characteristic set of golden paleae (spines) surrounding the mouth, which they use for digging into soft sediments.
DUMBO
Nicknamed the “dumbo octopus” because of its resemblance to a beloved Disney character, this animal has a jelly-like body and swims using two large flaps on its head.
A MOST PECULIAR SCALLOP
This deep sea scallop (Propeamussium sp.) is way too small to eat but as with all deep-sea animals, it has some peculiar habits. Scientists believe it is carnivorous, feeding on very small animals. In addition, it has a sea anemone attached to one of its valves – presumably for protection.
COCK-EYED SQUID
This peculiar squid has one eye naturally much larger than the other. It swims with the larger eye looking downwards for food, whilst the smaller eye peers upwards, presumably on the lookout for predators.
SEA TULIP
Another peculiar-looking creature, the actual glass sponge (Hyalonema sp.) itself is the blob on top which resembles a tulip. It is supported by a twisted tuft of glass fibres which is anchored to the seabed. The “tulip” sways side to side with the current, filtering the seawater for organic matter.
CHAINSAW LOBSTER
Nicknamed the chainsaw lobster, Thaumastocheles
massonktenos is a rare deep-sea blind lobster with a terrifyingly large right claw lined with many sharp teeth. Scientists, however, suspect that the frightening claw is not a predatory device but is used to sieve bottom substrates for small animals to eat. These lobsters are rarely collected because they dig deep burrows.
FANGTOOTH
When you live in the deep sea, food is hard to come by. So if you encounter a tasty shrimp or fish, you must ensure it does not escape your grasp. The aptly named fangtooth
(Anoplogaster cornuta) does this with wicked-looking long teeth. No escape for any prey if it happens to get into this mouth!
TWIG-DWELLER
This slender twig-dwelling hermit crab with a straight body has adapted its body to live inside the narrow cavities of hollow twigs and sticks. It relies on sunken wood as a major source of food or substrate.
TRIPOD FISH
The deep-sea tripod fish (Bathypterois sp.) is strange all around. It has peculiar fins and filaments with which it balances itself on soft bottoms to help it detect small prey swimming past as it faces the current. Its eyes have no lenses so it is unable to focus on objects. And to top it off, it is a hermaphrodite – meaning that it has both male and female reproductive organs.
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